By Kiara Anthony
What do dark circles under the eyes indicate?
Aging may be one of the most common reasons for having dark circles under your eyes.
As you get older, your skin tends to sag and become thinner. You might experience a decrease in the fat and collagen that helps maintain your skin’s elasticity. As this occurs, the dark blood vessels beneath your skin become more visible, causing the area below your eyes to darken.
Aging might also cause tear troughs to appear more hollow. This may give you the appearance of looking tired or older. Other factors include genetics, fatigue, allergies, or eye strain.
How do I get rid of dark circles under my eyes?
You can try at-home remedies to reduce the appearance of dark circles beneath your eyes or medical treatments. Home remedies include cold compresses, eye creams, drinking more water, and getting more sleep. Medical treatments include chemical peels, laser surgery, and tissue fillers.
Are dark under-eye circles permanent?
Dark circles may come and go. How long they last could
depend on many factors, such as:
- • Genetics
- • Lifestyle factors
- • Nutritional deficiencies
What vitamins are good for dark circles under the eyes?
A few older studies suggest that vitamin E, vitamin C, and vitamin K in topical products may play a role in reducing dark circles under the eyes. Many products also contain retinoid, made from vitamin A, which may modify skin tone.
What deficiency causes dark circles under eyes?
One study suggests that low levels of vitamin B12 might increase skin pigmentation, which may contribute to dark circles developing beneath your eyes.
Dark circles under the eyes may be a sign of iron deficiency anemia. In those cases, an iron supplement may be helpful to normalize blood levels.
Conclusion
For many people, dark circles come and go. They may be genetic, or they may result from the stasis of blood vessels (when blood flow slows down and pools in one area) caused by a mixture of lifestyle factors, such as smoking, getting too much sunlight, or spending long periods of time staring at screens.
More often than not, dark circles are simply a part of aging. They’re not typically a cause for alarm. But, if the discoloration and swelling gets worse, or if they’re bothering you, speak with a doctor or dermatologist. They may be able to help you receive the correct diagnosis and treatment.
